**Early 2026-27 Niké Liga standings highlight Ružomberok, AS Trenčín, KFC Komárno, and newly promoted MFK Dukla Banská Bystrica as the primary relegation candidates after the opening nine matchdays.** These sides sit at the foot of the table with minimal points from limited wins, heavy defeats, and poor goal differences, while DAC Dunajská Streda, Žilina, Spartak Trnava, and Slovan Bratislava occupy the upper positions. The promoted Dukla side has struggled to adapt following its return from the second tier, and Ružomberok continues a pattern of inconsistent results. A mid-September managerial change at Skalica adds uncertainty for another lower-table club. The split into championship and relegation groups later in the campaign, combined with head-to-head results and potential play-offs, will shape final outcomes as form, squad depth, and fixture difficulty evolve.